|
 Study finds AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine follows genetic
instructions
AstraZeneca's Oxford COVID-19 vaccine accurately follows the genetic
instructions programmed into it by its developers to successfully
provoke a strong immune response, according to a detailed analysis
carried out by independent scientists.
"The vaccine is doing everything we expected and that is only good
news in our fight against the illness," said David Matthews, an
expert in virology from Bristol University, who led the research.
In WHO overhaul push, EU urges changes to handling of pandemics
The European Union wants the World Health Organization to become
more transparent about how states report emerging health crises, a
draft proposal on reforming the U.N. agency says, following
criticism of China's initial handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The paper, drawn up by the German government after discussions with
other member states, is the latest to outline the EU's plans to
address the WHO's shortcomings on funding, governance and legal
powers.
Drastic steps needed to tackle out-of-control pandemic, Spanish
minister says
Spain needs drastic measures to combat an out-of-control new wave of
the coronavirus pandemic and is considering new restrictions
including curfews, Health Minister Salvador Illa said on Thursday.
Illa will hold a video meeting on Thursday afternoon with regional
health chiefs to agree on new measures. On Wednesday Spain became
the first country in Western Europe to have recorded more than 1
million cases of the virus.
"The second wave is a reality. In many areas of our country, the
epidemic is out of control," Illa told Onda Cero radio. "I insist we
have to take drastic measures, as do several regions."
[to top of second column] |
Hungary looking at Russian and Chinese COVID-19 vaccines - PM aide
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government has asked local health
experts to look into the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines developed by Russia and
China for possible later purchases, Orban's chief of staff said on Thursday.
Hungary has also committed to buy 6.5 million vaccines from AstraZeneca at a
cost of 13 billion forints ($42.24 million) under a wider European Union
agreement, Gergely Gulyas said at a news briefing.
Masks do block coronavirus, but not perfectly
Japanese researchers showed that masks can offer protection from airborne
coronavirus particles, but even professional-grade coverings can't eliminate
contagion risk entirely.
Scientists at the University of Tokyo built a secure chamber with mannequin
heads facing each other. One head, fitted with a nebulizer, simulated coughing
and expelled actual coronavirus particles. The other mimicked natural breathing,
with a collection chamber for viruses coming through the airway.
A cotton mask reduced viral uptake by the receiver head by up to 40% compared to
no mask. An N95 mask, used by medical professionals, blocked up to 90%. However,
even when the N95 was fitted to the face with tape, some virus particles still
sneaked in.
(Compiled by Karishma Singh; Editing by Edwina Gibbs, William Maclean and Alex
Richardson)
[© 2020 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2020 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
